Content uploaded by Jeffrey J. Thompson
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Jeffrey J. Thompson on Oct 28, 2016
Content may be subject to copyright.
A vortex population viability analysis model for the Chacoan peccary (Catagonus wagneri)
... Utilizando datos provistos por especialistas y colaboradores, Kristin Leus generó un modelo de viabilidad poblacional para P. wagneri (Leus et al. 2016). Como resultado, se estimó una población mínima de entre 1.000 y 1.300 individuos para la supervivencia de la especie sin pérdida de variación genética, asumiendo poblaciones viables y hábitat continuo a lo largo de toda su distribución. ...
Conservation status categorization for the Chacoan peccary (Parachoerus wagneri) in Argentina
The Dry Chaco has one of the highest deforestation rates of the world. The chacoan peccary (Catagonus wagneri; ChP) is endemic to the forests of this region and faces a high risk of extinction. However, we lack sufficient information about this species to develop effective conservation actions. This is the first study to determine the relevance of primary and secondary forest as habitat for the species and to address opportunities for conservation. We used occupancy modelling to study habitat selection. Using additional information on the species and the region, we then estimated the time left before the ChP’s habitat outside of protected areas is completely lost, and the number of ChP generations likely to exist before this happens. Finally, we identified protected areas that can sustain viable populations, and estimated the number of individuals that can survive within them. We found that the ChP occupies both primary forests and secondary forests. Also, that if deforestation rates remain consistent, the habitat for the ChP outside protected areas will have disappeared before 2051 (< 6 peccary generations). Furthermore, we found that most protected areas are too small and isolated to sustain viable populations. Our results have great management implications. Well-managed forests may allow the conservation of the ChP. Initiatives focused on forest conservation should increase, alongside the restoration of degraded and deforested areas. We also recommend the creation of new protected areas and wildlife corridors, and working horizontally with local communities.
Overexploitation is a frequently cited driver of species extinction. Throughout the Neotropics, balancing traditional practices and the needs of local people with protection of rare or declining species is challenging, especially given low capacity for control by authorities. We conducted interviews with wildlife professionals and residents, along with a camera-based field survey of wildlife occurrence, to gain insight into recent population trends, relative abundance, and drivers of harvest for large mammals in the northern Dry Chaco of Paraguay including but not limited to, Defensores del Chaco National Park. Although the endangered Chacoan peccary (Catagonus wagneri) was preferred regardless of hunter motivation, harvests of all species appeared largely opportunistic, and limited to immediate family use due to a lack of market forces, and constraints on refrigeration capacity in the region. This pattern may soon change given rapid deforestation, and an associated and growing road network providing greater access both to wildlife resources and commercial bushmeat markets. Notably, public perception of abundance and trends for Chacoan peccary differed from professional opinions—likely due in part to greater use of areas along roads by C. wagneri compared to other, relatively more abundant species. This discordance may pose future challenges if harvest restrictions become a conservation necessity, especially during a process of essentially self-imposed voluntary limitations.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.